The Democratic-controlled Congress has been critical of the U.S. weapons
package to Saudi Arabia, accused of helping Al Qaida operations against the
U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, Middle East Newsline reported. House leaders, including House Foreign Relations
Committee chairman Rep. Tom Lantos, have warned that advanced U.S. weaponry
to Riyad could fall into the hands of Al Qaida or its supporters.
On Sunday, Rep. Anthony Weiner and Rep. Jerrold Nadler said they would
introduce legislation to block the sale of advanced weapons to Saudi Arabia.
The two representatives said Saudi Arabia has acted against U.S. interests.
"We need to send a crystal clear message to the Saudi Arabian government
that their tacit approval of terrorism can't go unpunished," Weiner said.
"Saudi Arabia should not get an ounce of military support from the U.S.
until they unequivocally denounced terrorism and take tangible steps to
prevent it."
In a briefing on July 27, the official said the Saudi package would be
discussed with Riyad during a visit to the kingdom this week by Defense
Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The official
said Congress has also been briefed on the key points of the proposed arms
sale.
"What there may be is discussion about what the administration is
willing to go forwards with — what we would recommend to the Hill and
others," the official said.
Officials said the administration has offered to sell the Joint Direct
Attack Munitions to the Royal Saudi Air Force. Produced by Boeing, JDAM
comprises a kit that converts general purpose air bombs into smart munitions
for the F-15 and F-16 and enables simultaneous strikes of multiple targets.
Israel has been the only Middle East ally of the United States that has
procured JDAM. Officials said Gates and Ms. Rice have not encountered
serious Israeli opposition to the Saudi arms package.
"As we move forward, we will work very closely with Congress, as well as
our friends and allies in the region," State Department spokesman Sean
McCormack said.
Under the proposed U.S. arms package, the Pentagon would sell new
platforms and weapons to Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Both countries
have also requested JDAMs, while Egypt has sought the F-16 Block 52
multi-role fighter as well as advanced radar.
Ms. Rice plans to announce a military package to Egypt before she leaves
for the Middle East on Monday. Officials said Ms. Rice would also discuss
changes in annual U.S. military assistance to Israel, which called for an
increase from the current $2.4 billion to $3 billion over the next decade.
In contrast to Democratic opposition, the Republican minority in Congress was expected to support
the administration plan. But House Minority Whip Rep. Roy Blunt said the
White House would face a challenge in explaining the Saudi case to Congress.
"But on these issues regarding Saudi Arabia, we have a bigger problem in
the House all the time, because of the disappointments with the Saudis, who
have traditionally been good friends of ours, who have been allies in the
region, but continually seem to not understand the situation we're in right
now," Blunt said. "And so, the votes that we've had have been harder and
harder as related to Saudi Arabia. And the administration's going to have to
really make the case here that this is needed, that there are reasons beyond
what we can see, that the Saudis continue to be helpful to us. And that will
be a challenge for them, I think."
Officials said a key concern of Congress has been the Saudi refusal to
accept limitations on the use or deployment of the U.S. weapons. They said
Riyad has already violated a pledge not to station F-15 fighter-jets in the
Saudi Air Force base at Tabouk, some 140 kilometers from Israel.
"There is an effort to ask the Saudis to restrict the use of JDAMs and
not store them near Israel," an official said. "So far, I can't say there
has been any Saudi commitment."
